Love in the Dark

Hermione lay curled up in her dormitory, resting her head on her pillow. The tears were streaming down her face without restraint; her breathing was ragged in between sobs. Her world had collapsed around her; her hero was gone. She had remained composed after Harry told her the news last night, after he told her that Dumbledore was dead. She had let only a few of her tears; a few drops in the ocean of wretched grief escape her.

She hadn't moved in an entire day. Lying still upon the bed, every position uncomfortable, everything she remembered about Dumbledore swirling around her head. Though she had never come out and said it, Dumbledore was her hero. He was what she used when she had to make a decision. What would Dumbledore do? He was what she set all of her standards by, he was her everything.

She had trusted him completely, put all confidence in Dumbledore and her heart swelled with pain to think that common murderer like Snape had outsmarted him, to think that he had given his life for a Horcrux that had been a fake. He had sacrificed himself in a hope that he would bring Harry a step closer to defeating Voldemort, to free the Wizarding world from the tyrant that is Lord Voldemort, and he had not. He gave up his life for nothing. And it was killing her.

“Hermione,” came a whisper in her ear.

“Go away Harry,” she wept, “I told you I don't want to eat!”

“Hermione,” Harry said softly, “I know you don't want to eat, but please, please come to Dumbledore's funeral.”

“I can't!” she bawled, “I can't! I'm not strong enough, I can't do it!”

“Hermione,” he whispered, “You can do it. I know you can. You are the bravest, strongest person I know. And,” he looked her in the eyes, “And, I love you.”

“You love me?” Hermione asked, feeling strange and confused.

Ever since she saw him, that first day on the train she had fallen in love with his piercing green eyes and jet black hair. She had lost all hope but now, now just maybe…. It was the strangest thing in the world to feel your heart soaring and feel utterly wretched at the same time.

“Oh Harry, I love you too,” she said, crying harder now, she added, “I feel so guilty thinking about my life when—when….”

“Hermione, what Professor McGonagall said was true,” he said, closing his arms around her, “Dumbledore would be so happy to know that there was a little more love in the world.”

“I guess,” Hermione sniffed, “I guess.”

“Will you come to Dumbledore's funeral?” Harry asked, kissing her softly on the lips, “Please?”

“I will,” Hermione said, “tears falling into her lap, “I will.”

He kissed her again and left her alone, thoughts spiraling in her head, happiness and sadness spinning endlessly around her.

Then next day it took every ounce of her strength to get up in the morning and dress for the funeral of the greatest wizard she would ever know. But she did it thanks to Harry. She did it. She walked slowly down to the funeral, bracing herself for it.

It was such a beautiful day and this upset Hermione. This was greatest wizard in the world; surely the weather could pay its respect? Then again perhaps Dumbledore would have wanted this, would have wanted the gorgeous day and a celebration of his life rather than the mourning of his death. Lost in her own thoughts, she barely noticed the massive form of Hagrid placing Dumbledore's body on the platform.

It was a shock to see him, a man that was so full of life, now lying still, his eyes staring blankly at the sky. Hermione's heart felt like it would burst when she thought that those blue eyes would never again twinkle. Someone was saying words that she wasn't paying attention to as they did him no justice. She desperately wanted to get up and say what she really felt, what Dumbledore really deserved. There was a flash of fire that startled them all, and a white tomb appeared around Dumbledore's body, as it lowered into the ground Hermione whispered goodbye into the air. Dumbledore was the light in her life, shining knowledge and trust over everything. Now she had Harry and no idea how she felt. Once upon a time there was light in her life, now there was only love in the dark.

Finis

A/N-This is not my piece of writing. This is actually my friend Hannah's one shot that she wrote for me and only me because after all she is a R/Hr and H/G. She gave me all the permission to use it and all that and all credit goes to her. So I hope that you enjoy this. Please review

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